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Female rappers have spent the better parts of the last two decades trying to match the production levels and successes of their male competition. They’ve constructed eloquent raps and used sex to sell their brands, in an industry so driven by taboo-ism. Female rappers have gone head to head in battles with the men who run the rap game, to earn a spot for themselves on the charts, and their respect. But how do you respect a game that’s crumbled into misogynist raps just to get ahead?
Nicki Minaj and her alter-ego Roman Zolanski released her second single “Stupid Hoe” from her upcoming album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded recently, and as if her raps didn’t get your attention, her brand new music video directed Hype Williams should come with an official epilepsy warning.
So why is it that this one song has the ability to taint the future of female artists in the Hip Hop world?
As women we demand respect on all levels, and to be treated like any other male in the music industry. We strive to eliminate the fine line that sets us apart from being an artist in the industry and not just a female artist in the industry. But how can we expect men to respect us, when we’re the ones leading the rat-race with punches to our very feminism?
If we’re out on the streets calling each other “bitches and hoes”, surely we’re giving men the permission to do the same? How we perceive ourselves to be, is in direct proportion with how we are perceived.
Whether this is a case of rap beef extremists, as Minaj throws punches at Lil Kim and a few other potential competitors on “Stupid Hoe”, or whether it’s the “Female Weezy” as she calls herself on the track, trying to play with the boys and beat them at their own game spitting fire to her female competition, the slander that is “Stupid Hoe” in no way re-affirms her place in the rap game. Rather she comes across as an angry bird who’s hurt and all she’s got is her twitchy tongue to spit vulgarity as a shock tactic.
Women get mad when rappers call them “bitches” but men call each other “bitches” too. Remember when 50 Cent told Diddy back in 2010 “Stop actin’ like a bitch” during a performance? This term has surpassed the sex barrier. Now, irrespective of whether you’re a male or female, the negative connotation is where the punch is at. It’s a case of subliminal shots after the other, to not just cripple the competition but downright destroy them.
In female rap, Lil Kim has had punch after punch after punch thrown at her in the last six months. The iconic female rapper has paid her dues to the game since the days of Notorious BIG. Her accolades and successes are most likely what got the younger female rappers wanting to be a part of the magic she created as an artist. Lil Kim used sex has her muse. Her raps were induced with everything that made male rappers not sure whether they wanted to have sex with her or take her on in the rap ring. She was THAT good.
So into the world steps Barbie and turns it the entire way up. Yes there were other female rappers along the way, but none quite like the colourful ensemble that is Nicki Minaj. Well at least not on a commercial level in today’s industry. She took the persona that Lil Kim built her career and reputation on, and modernised it in a way that the generation of today will relate to; considering that Kim is almost a decade her senior. If you ask Kim why she’s mad to begin with? There’s your answer right there.
It became a battle of the best female rappers culminating diss records back and forth; and slander dipping so vicious. Other female rappers including Foxy Brown and Jacki-O jumped aboard the band-wagon and joined Minaj in slaughtering Lil Kim every chance they get.
Again I ask… So why is it that this one song “Stupid Hoe” has the ability to taint the future of female artists in the Hip Hop world?
If you’re on Twitter and you follow your favourite rapper, the dudes running the rap game from the streets, or peoples trying to get their foot in the door in this industry; the levels of ignorance that exists out there is a jaw-dropper. In the Twitter-world, the respect and kindness which is expected to be shown to women, let alone mankind, whether you’re a “somebody” or just a plain Jane is non-existent. The language and utter disrespect that exists will have you questioning the very world you exist in.
And it exists because rappers like Nicki Minaj and a song called “Stupid Hoes” will have the current and next generation thinking it’s “cool” to say shit like that. Although it’s catchy raps over an even catchier beat, Minaj has put in the work on previous projects and established herself as an artist to be reckoned with. This is merely a misrepresentation of what her role in the industry is. No slander to Ms Minaj, just a call out for being the wack one trying to make every other rapper who’s her competition look bad.
If future artists (and I say artists whether male or female because irrespective, talent is not a game of what sex you are) are to learn anything from this very silly song, go back to writing raps that don’t disrespect each other with sexist prejudice and ideology, instead be so mindful of your raps that your intelligence is your diss. You can parade your creativity and talent in more ways than calling your competition names. That’s so high school. And aren’t we all grown?
Perhaps the wider fan-base of Minaj won’t get to hear this track because it will most likely be banned from radio stations, and the video is too raunchy to be air-played without edits, but the place Barbie has found herself in will have you either loving her for her crass raps, or hating her for what she’s doing to Hip Hop. I bet she never meant for this to be a make or break situation.
Nicki Minaj and her alter-ego Roman Zolanski released her second single “Stupid Hoe” from her upcoming album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded recently, and as if her raps didn’t get your attention, her brand new music video directed Hype Williams should come with an official epilepsy warning.
So why is it that this one song has the ability to taint the future of female artists in the Hip Hop world?
As women we demand respect on all levels, and to be treated like any other male in the music industry. We strive to eliminate the fine line that sets us apart from being an artist in the industry and not just a female artist in the industry. But how can we expect men to respect us, when we’re the ones leading the rat-race with punches to our very feminism?
If we’re out on the streets calling each other “bitches and hoes”, surely we’re giving men the permission to do the same? How we perceive ourselves to be, is in direct proportion with how we are perceived.
Whether this is a case of rap beef extremists, as Minaj throws punches at Lil Kim and a few other potential competitors on “Stupid Hoe”, or whether it’s the “Female Weezy” as she calls herself on the track, trying to play with the boys and beat them at their own game spitting fire to her female competition, the slander that is “Stupid Hoe” in no way re-affirms her place in the rap game. Rather she comes across as an angry bird who’s hurt and all she’s got is her twitchy tongue to spit vulgarity as a shock tactic.
Women get mad when rappers call them “bitches” but men call each other “bitches” too. Remember when 50 Cent told Diddy back in 2010 “Stop actin’ like a bitch” during a performance? This term has surpassed the sex barrier. Now, irrespective of whether you’re a male or female, the negative connotation is where the punch is at. It’s a case of subliminal shots after the other, to not just cripple the competition but downright destroy them.
In female rap, Lil Kim has had punch after punch after punch thrown at her in the last six months. The iconic female rapper has paid her dues to the game since the days of Notorious BIG. Her accolades and successes are most likely what got the younger female rappers wanting to be a part of the magic she created as an artist. Lil Kim used sex has her muse. Her raps were induced with everything that made male rappers not sure whether they wanted to have sex with her or take her on in the rap ring. She was THAT good.
So into the world steps Barbie and turns it the entire way up. Yes there were other female rappers along the way, but none quite like the colourful ensemble that is Nicki Minaj. Well at least not on a commercial level in today’s industry. She took the persona that Lil Kim built her career and reputation on, and modernised it in a way that the generation of today will relate to; considering that Kim is almost a decade her senior. If you ask Kim why she’s mad to begin with? There’s your answer right there.
It became a battle of the best female rappers culminating diss records back and forth; and slander dipping so vicious. Other female rappers including Foxy Brown and Jacki-O jumped aboard the band-wagon and joined Minaj in slaughtering Lil Kim every chance they get.
Again I ask… So why is it that this one song “Stupid Hoe” has the ability to taint the future of female artists in the Hip Hop world?
If you’re on Twitter and you follow your favourite rapper, the dudes running the rap game from the streets, or peoples trying to get their foot in the door in this industry; the levels of ignorance that exists out there is a jaw-dropper. In the Twitter-world, the respect and kindness which is expected to be shown to women, let alone mankind, whether you’re a “somebody” or just a plain Jane is non-existent. The language and utter disrespect that exists will have you questioning the very world you exist in.
And it exists because rappers like Nicki Minaj and a song called “Stupid Hoes” will have the current and next generation thinking it’s “cool” to say shit like that. Although it’s catchy raps over an even catchier beat, Minaj has put in the work on previous projects and established herself as an artist to be reckoned with. This is merely a misrepresentation of what her role in the industry is. No slander to Ms Minaj, just a call out for being the wack one trying to make every other rapper who’s her competition look bad.
If future artists (and I say artists whether male or female because irrespective, talent is not a game of what sex you are) are to learn anything from this very silly song, go back to writing raps that don’t disrespect each other with sexist prejudice and ideology, instead be so mindful of your raps that your intelligence is your diss. You can parade your creativity and talent in more ways than calling your competition names. That’s so high school. And aren’t we all grown?
Perhaps the wider fan-base of Minaj won’t get to hear this track because it will most likely be banned from radio stations, and the video is too raunchy to be air-played without edits, but the place Barbie has found herself in will have you either loving her for her crass raps, or hating her for what she’s doing to Hip Hop. I bet she never meant for this to be a make or break situation.
– Myrna Burgess
